September newsletter basic version

Published date : 09 September, 2021

Richard Thomson MP

Gordon Parliamentary Newsletter

September 2021

A message from Richard Thomson

Hello, and welcome to my September Parliamentary report. Within it, you will find updates on some of the activities I’ve been involved in over the past month as your MP.

With the House of Commons having been in recess over the summer, it’s given my team and I the opportunity to conduct street surgeries, as well as to visit a number of local businesses and charities. However, the work of a Parliamentarian in representing the concerns of constituents continues, with issues such as the situation in Afghanistan coming to the fore.

Please get in touch if my team or I can assist you, by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 3545 2236.

Sincerely,

Richard Thomson

Working through recess

The Brian Taylor Podcast

It was a pleasure to take part in Brian Taylor's podcast, debating Scotland’s finances, taxation and the future of the oil and gas sector. You can listen to the full episode using the link below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/20-gers-figures-taxation-and-cambo-oilfield/id1563034460?i=1000532556951&fbclid=IwAR3Gr7g7O8BJPa6Mqx73vfAqilVdeK-HwEf10wl58m512DWRiPLoA9YNNlQ

Joint Letter to UK Government on Afghanistan

I put my name to a joint letter which called for the UK Government to meet its obligations to the people of Afghanistan, urging the government to do whatever it takes to protect Afghans from danger and to help those who wish to leave.

Get Vaccinated

In Huntly, I took some time out of my schedule to highlight the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. For further information on COVID-19 vaccinations in the NHS Grampian area, please visit: www.covidvaxgrampian.com

Eu+me event

It was a pleasure to take part in ‘The Gathering’ event for the North East organised by EU+Me. We discussed all things European, the benefits of EU membership and the adverse impacts of Brexit. The event featured a Q&A, live music from folk singer Iona Fyfe and some interesting political discussions

Challenging UK Arms Sales Policy

A recent UK Government report listed a total of 31 ‘Human Rights Priority’ countries about which it has concerns, yet the UK Government still sells weapons and military hardware to 23 of those countries. I challenged the Foreign Secretary on the clear inconsistency between what his Government says on human rights and what it all too often does in reality.

Across the constituency

Huntly and Oldmeldrum

My team and I conducted some ‘street surgeries’ in Huntly, speaking to local residents about issues of concern to them. After we’d finished going from door to door, I was delighted to catch up with Cllr Gwyneth Petrie and pop into both the Honesty Bakery and Orb's Community Bookshop.

We also spent an afternoon in Oldmeldrum speaking to residents about local issues of concern. A number of people brought up the condition of the road and pavements on their streets. I have raised this issue with Aberdeenshire Council to ask about the resurfacing priorities for Oldmeldrum in the future.

Inverurie

While visiting Inverurie town centre with Cllr Neil Baillie and Gillian Martin MSP, we discussed the town centre traffic and active travel possibilities for the area. This photo also includes one of the three CLAN lighthouses we visited in Inverurie whilst enjoying an ice-cream from Strachans.

We also took the opportunity to discuss the project to dual the A96. This will greatly improve connectivity to the north and we look forward to the benefits it will bring.

CHC Helicopter Visit

At the end of August, I paid a visit to CHC Helicopters in Dyce to meet with Mark Abbey, European CEO. As pictured, he gave me a tour of their operations and we discussed the business challenges facing the aviation, oil and gas sectors.

Visit to Glen Garioch

I was delighted to be able to take a tour of Oldmendrum’s Glen Garioch distillery to see the impact of a recent multi-million pound investment by owners Beam Suntory. As well as learning about the company’s investment in a return to traditional whisky-making techniques such as direct firing and malting on site, I was happy to be invited to meet some of the team and to open a cask from 1978.

Pictured above from L-R, Assistant Distillery Manager Dave Ferris, Visitor Centre Manager Pom Nijs, myself, Senior Manager Alistair Longwell and Distillery Manager Kwanele Mdluli, following a tour of the site and discussions about the range of benefits the investment will bring, from increased energy efficiency to reduced water consumption.

In the news

Aberdeenshire politicians hit out at delivery cost findings –

SNP MPs hit back at Andrew Bowie over Scottish Greens deal claims –

Support for musicians, bands and venues is much-needed NE culture boost –

Over 4400 families in Gordon to face brutal Tory cut of £1040 each year –

MP Thomson welcomes 25% drop in cost of rural crime –

Scots wrestler had to leave toddler at airport over immigration ‘nightmare’ –

Thank you,

Richard Thomson MP

Email – [email protected]

Website – www.richardthomsonmp.com

Call – 020 3545 2236

Address - Unit F6 Enterprise Centre, Aberdeen Energy Park, Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8GX

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